Mackay toddler death: police investigation ongoing 12 months on

The death of a toddler rocked a Queensland community, sparking many questions about what happened to the little girl. Now 12 months on, police have revealed more details about their investigation.

Police have shared a glimpse into the “protracted and complex” investigation following the shock death of a Mackay toddler as questions over the tragedy mount 12 months on.

One of Mackay’s most senior officers said these investigations “never stop” until police have an answer.

Diana Hanbury died at Mackay Base Hospital about 8pm on December 29, which prompted Central Coroner David O’Connell to request a police investigation into the death.

At the time police confirmed the little girl had been unwell in the days before she was rushed to the emergency department where doctors worked tirelessly to save her but sadly she died soon after.

The tragedy rocked the Mackay community with Detective Sergeant Chris Eaton at the time saying, “The death of a child, any child, under any circumstance, is incredibly traumatic.”

North Mackay parents Jessica and Adam Hanbury. A police investigation is ongoing more than 12 months after their two-year-old daughter Diana died on Thursday, December 29, 2022.

Her parents Jessica and Adam Hanbury had moved to Mackay in 2020. Diana was the youngest of their five children.

Police searched their North Mackay home in the days after her death.

Mackay police are at a home on Foulden St in North Mackay in December 2022 following the sudden death of two-year-old Diana Hanbury after she was presented to Mackay Base Hospital. December 30, 2022. Picture: Heidi Petith

More than 12 months later Mackay Detective Inspector Emma Novosel has confirmed investigations in the death were ongoing, describing it as “protracted and complex” and involved liaising with a number of experts.

“We take the death of a child very serious, it’s been a difficult investigation,” Inspector Novosel said.

A police forensic officer at the North Mackay address after the death of a two-year-old girl. Credit: 7NEWS

Because the child was presented at Mackay Base Hospital with a medical condition, Inspector Novosel said investigating officers had to rely “heavily on medical experts to give us evidence”.

“We haven’t forgotten and these investigations never stop,” Inspector Novosel said.

“We work closely with other government and non government agencies … and it remains our priority to establish what happened to Diana.”

Inspector Novosel urged any members of the community who had information relevant to Diana’s death to come forward.

Originally published as Mackay toddler death: police investigation ongoing 12 months on